Marlborough Mesa

APRIL NEWS 2002

May 04, 2002

May MUST be a Better Month!

Being sick most of March as well as my computer having some major problems, I thought things had to get better after that. Well ?… as I write this, it is with difficulty. I fell on a concrete floor and tore the ligaments in my left wrist. Typing has been at a minimal. If I have not answered your emails, it is not because I have not wanted to. How long this will last is even the doctors guess ?– but is IS getting better daily.

I am grateful to those who have submitted articles for this newsletter. To ?“copy and paste?” is much easier! :)


Looking for my Replacement (cont?’d)

I have heard from several of you offering to take a part. I have not even answered those emails. For now, this will have to be my answer. I am very appreciative and am looking forward to getting together with all of you once I have met with Debbie Driscol. We are breaking it up into smaller parts, thereby giving opportunities for everyone who would like ?– to help the entire community.

It is not too late to email me if you would like to be a part of this in any way.



Newsletter ?“Printed Version?”

Continually, I have had people say they would like the paper version again.

IF all of the individuals who now pass out the newsletter are willing to continue, we can do this. Please let me hear from you. Some of you have good sized ?“routes?” and can use help (I am certain) on various streets. Volunteers?

I have sent out an email with more detail.



DES Relocation

The Department of Economic Security have not fully moved in their new location yet. Work continues with them in setting a date for Marlborough Residents to visit their new facilities. We will have the meeting to address concerns as soon as possible.


Marlborough Directory of Services
by Diane Pyle

Anyone who lives in Marlborough Mesa may be included in our Directory of Services. If you wish to participate, please provide the following information for your listing.

Name of Resident ____________________________
Business Name ______________________________
Business Address _____________________________
Business Phone ______________________________
Home Phone (Optional) ________________________
Cell Phone (Optional) __________________________
Licensed & Bonded (If Applicable) _______________
E-mail _____________________________________
Refrences (Available upon request) ______________
Discounts (If Appicable)________________________
Please include a brief statement on the type of services offered. _______________________________

You may E-mail your information to Diane Pyle at
buyahome1st@hotmail.com or call me at home (480)-777-0805 or my cell (480)-251-1940.

I will also be trying to contact everyone in the present book the first two weeks of April to make sure all your information is up to date. So if you don't hear from me, please contact me.

We still are in need of a sprinkler systems handyman, blocklayers, locksmiths, electricians and landscapers. If you have any of these trades, please consider placing your name in the Directory.



Clean Sweep Container Schedules in April

by Lolita Gates (Pampa)

The Clean Sweep Dumpsters will be in our neighborhood throughout the month of April. Please try to abide by the rules and regulations the city has implemented for Clean Sweep so that we can continue to have the dumpsters delivered to our neighborhood twice a year. These rules are listed in the March Newsletter. Here are the dates and the sites for placement of the dumpsters.

April 8 through April 11:
Delivered Monday, April 8 and picked up Thursday, April 11.
935 W. Olla, west of the driveway
925 W. Olla, east of the driveway
2828 S. Emerson, across the street
912 W. Osage, west of the front door
942 W. Osage, east of the mailbox
2840 S. Emerson, across the street
2914 S. Emerson, across the street
2938 S. Emerson, across the street
2822 S. Emerson, across the street
962 W. Portobello, west of home sitting on Emerson

April 15 through April 18:
Delivered Monday, April 15 and picked up Thursday, April 18.
852 W. Obispo, west of home sitting on Beverly
1051 W. Plata, across the street
1015 W. Plata, across the street
948 W. Plata, west of the driveway
842 W. Plata, between 842 and 850
1019 W. Posada, across the street
934 W. Posada, east of the driveway
852 W. Posada, west of the driveway
811 W. Posada, across the street
3117 S. Wycliff, across the street

April 22 through April 25:
Delivered Monday, April 22 and picked up Thursday, April 25.
1051 W. Peralta, across the street
959 W. Peralta, across the street
857 W. Peralta, across the st. & W. of driveway
846 W. Pecos, west of the front door
954 W. Pecos, west of the driveway
1048 W. Pecos, west of the driveway
1126 W. Pecos, west of the front door
820 W. Obispo, east of the driveway
931 W. Obispo, across the street
949 W. Obispo, across the street

April 29 through May 2:
Delivered Monday, April 29 and picked up Thursday, May 2.
3060 S. Mollera, north of the front door
3006 S. Mollera, across the street
949 W. Pampa, west of the driveway
847 W. Pampa, east of the front door
812 W. Pampa, across the street
1024 W. Pampa, across the street
1148 W. Portobello, across the street
1035 W. Portobello, across the st. & W. of home
857 W. Portobello, east of the driveway
3130 S. Spruce, across the street

These placements have been selected by the City of Mesa. If you have concerns about these sites, you can contact Liz Cassavaugh, the Clean Sweep Coordinator for the City of Mesa, at 480-644-4423 before the dumpsters are delivered.



Marlborough Mesa Kids Scramble for Eggs
by Kelly Wendel (Posada)

Marlborough Mesa?’s 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt was a hit with dozens of local kids, as eager hunters streamed into an egg-laden park, in search of grand prizes and other goodies.

More than 70 children in three age groups took part in the annual celebration, with neighborhood volunteers gathering to provide food, drink and delicious eats for parents and children alike.

Big winners of the grand prizes included: Joshua Carey (Spruce); Ciara Pratt (Mollera); and Scott Black (Peralta). (Pictures will be on the website in a few days. I get them back the 10th and Marty Klopper will need a few days to put them on -- so look for them soon.)

Dozens of residents aided in the planning and execution of the event, which was held Saturday, March 23, at the park on Pampa and Alma School roads.

?“When you have a team, it doesn?’t take very long, especially when everybody is picking up stuff and pitching in,?” said Becky Chvarak, a Marlborough Mesa resident and member of the Easter planning committee. ?“We had 150 bags to stuff, and it only took an hour to fix those bags up. It is such a great way to get to know the people in your neighborhood and it is so enjoyable to have so many people involved.?”

While the event lasted just a few hours, neighborhood volunteers spent the last year planning and accumulating toys and other prizes for the Easter egg hunt. Astute shoppers such as Diane LeFevre are already out on the shopping front, grabbing post-season bargains for next year?’s event.

Linda Murphy, the spearhead of the Easter Committee, said she was willing to take and store any donations for next year?’s event.

?“If you see something on sale, and want to donate it anytime of the year, drop it off at the house for the Easter egg hunt. Some people may see something on sale but don?’t want to hold it for 10 months, unless you are me.?”

As always a dedicated group of volunteers, guided by, Bob and Lolita Gates, Sandy Scully, Michelle Geramanis, Debbie and Don Glick, Diane LeFevre and Jim and Alma Jones, helped Linda in steering a successful event. These additional and valuable volunteers helped the day of the hunt: Tim Malcolm, Stacy LeFevre, Anna Covarrubias, Terry Carey, Lindsey and Trudy EmBree. And finally, we cannot forget to thank our Clean-Up Crew prior to the hunt for a well-cleaned park headed up by Jennifer Quraishi.

Our Mesa City Councilman Dennis Kavanaugh and his staff also aided residents. Much of the funding and support for the event came through a P.R.I.D.E. grant from the city of Mesa along with the United Way as well as all our residents who donated various items.


Safety Team

I hear from Laurel Aslamy and Rick Henry that the Safety Surveys distributed in Dec/Jan have been tallied and that only approximately 1% have responded. The concerns of the residents who did, began with lighting. They will have a more detailed information and updates next month , as Laurel and Zubair are on an extended vacation


The Mystery of the Missing Picnic Table

Once upon a time
there were three picnic tables
in a park in Marlborough Mesa.

The residents drove around the streets and walked thru the park and all was wonderful.

Then one day, someone saw one of the striking picnic tables sitting in the grass on the side of the park slowly inching its way toward the bottom of the retention basin.

All was quiet in Marlborough.
No one said a word.

The very next day another resident noticed that the picnic table had made its way all the way to the bottom.

All was quiet.
No one said a word.

Then a few days later, it disappeared altogether!

All was quiet.
No one said a word.

Then, all of a sudden, while setting up for their Easter picnic and egg hunt the people had planned, they found they were missing an ENTIRE picnic table that had formerly been heavily bolted down!

Who could have done this, they cried. Someone has actually stolen our huge picnic table!

Moral of this story: Do NOT keep quiet.
This is your park ?… it is OUR park ?… and sometimes it is up to US to make a call. If you are not sure WHO to call, start to inquire with the police at 644-2211 or our Neighborhood Office at 644-4067. If you see cars or motorcycles driving there ?– take a moment and call.
_________________________

Now ?– for the REAL story:

Parks and Rec actually found and picked up our badly damaged table. The bolts had definitely been removed and someone attempted to steal it. But the bottom of the park was as far as they could get it. Our Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator, Debbie Driscol, is checking on our ?“exchange?” possibilities.


E-Street Program, Channel 11

Some Marlborough Mesa residents are part of the E-Street Program Channel 11 produced. It is all part of Mesa, its neighborhoods and their ?“connectivity.?” It will air several more times in the coming weeks. You can check for scheduling on our website thru the City of Mesa link ?– go to Channel 11 programming.


District 3 Pancake Breakfast

(And a Few City Announcements)
by Councilman Dennis Kavanaugh

District Three?’s second pancake breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, April 20th from8:00-10:30 AM at Fire Station #207 (2505 S. Dobson Road). I have enjoyed Marlborough Mesa?’s hospitality over the years, and this is your chance to let me host an event for you. Please come and enjoy a great breakfast cooked by Mesa?’s very own Fire Department.

Now that spring has sprung and summer isn?’t too far behind, this is a good time to think about water conservation. Actually, April is water conservation month. The City of Mesa?’s water conservation office serves a variety of customers and communities. Workshops on how to landscape your yard with less water are available free of charge. You can also visit the Water Conservation Department website for even more ways to help conserve our most precious resource. For more information, call (480) 644-3306.

Wednesday, April 17th is Bike to Work Day. From 7:30 ?– 10:30 am you can join Mayor Hawker on his breakfast ride, come see demonstrations on how to secure your bike on the bus or come see me in the celebrity tricycle race! This event is meant to be a fun way to get more of us to drive less and ride more so even if you can?’t join us for the festivities, please try to bike to work on this day. For more information call (480) 644-3824.

Did you know that April is OneBookAz Month? Libraries across Arizona are participating in this campaign that encourages all Arizonans to read the same book during the month of April. The first book chosen is Animal Dreams by Arizona author Barbara Kingslover. On April 10th local personalities will participate in a reading relay across the state. Be sure to read the book and come into any City of Mesa Library to receive a ribbon! Contact the Library at (480) 644-2702 for more details.

Looking for fun for the whole family? Why not check out the newest exhibit at the Mesa Southwest Museum? The new Dinosaurs of Darkness exhibit includes dinosaurs that lived near the poles of the earth and explores the surroundings in which they lived. This exhibit comes from the Monash Science Centre in Victoria, Australia! This exhibit opened to rave reviews and is only in town through May 12th. Admission for adults is $6, children 3-12 are $3 and students 13+ with ID and senior 55+ are only $5! The museum is open Tuesdays ?– Saturdays 10 AM- 5 PM and Sundays 1 ?– 5 PM. For more information call (480) 644-2230.

The American Cancer Society is hosting a Relay for Life at Mesa High School April 13-14th. The fun begins at 6 PM on Saturday and continues through 7 AM on Sunday. Participants will take turns walking around the track for 13 hours through the wee hours demonstrating that cancer doesn?’t sleep and for one night, we don?’t either. You?’ll help raise money for cancer research and education and be entertained by music, food and other activities. Call1-800-ACS-2435 for more information.

Please don?’t hesitate to contact me (644-3003) or Lisa Blyler, my assistant, (644-5295) if you have any questions regarding City issues.


NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION

Property Maintenance Code
(back by request)

In March 2000, Mesa voters approved the Property Maintenance and Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance that require property owners to keep buildings and landscaping clean and repaired. The goal is to keep Mesa neighborhoods safe and attractive, and maintain property values. The new ordinance applies to outside areas that can be seen from the public right-of-way and includes yards, driveways, fences, walls, paint, roofing, sheds, windows and doors. This new code applies to everyone who owns or rents a home in Mesa.

The following list offers examples of items included within the Property Maintenance Code.

?· Exposed, exterior surfaces must be structurally sound and have no holes, breaks, rotting, crumbling, cracking, peeling and rusting. Painted surfaces: no peeling or blistering of paint.

?· Yards and landscaping should be well maintained and free from weeds and litter. They must be kept in good condition, and cannot show uncontrolled growth or general lack of maintenance.

?· Materials, colors and finishes used on buildings, structures or exterior walls and fences must be consistent. For example, you may not paint half of your block wall and leave the other half unpainted.

?· Exterior windows and doors should not be broken, missing or poorly fitted. Window screens should not be excessively worn or have any rips or tears.

?· Canopies and metal awnings should be in good condition - no rips, holes or excessive fading.

?· Roofs should be free from surface breaks, raised edges, and missing, curled loose, or excessively worn shingles.

?· Exhaust ducts, air conditioners and evaporative coolers should be in good repair with no rust.

?· Chimneys should be structurally sound with no cracks, deteriorated mortar, and missing or broken bricks.

?· Fences, screen and retaining walls must be built with standard fencing materials, be free from graffiti, and should not be broken, dilapidated, unsightly, leaning or have missing blocks or slats.

?· Any abandoned or inoperable vehicle that is partially or wholly dismantled, discarded, wrecked, on blocks or similar devices, stripped, or scrapped; or a vehicle with a deflated tire or tires or from which a wheel or tire has been removed; or any motor vehicle which is inoperable due to mechanical failure or mechanical disassembly or other reasons which may be evidenced by the absence of an unexpired license plate lawfully affixed or assigned thereto.

To access complete Property Maintenance Code or to report violation(s) please contact us at (480) 644-2061, FAX a list to (480) 644-2897 or online at http://www.ci.mesa.az.us/codecomp/complaint.htm.
The address where the suspected violation is located is required. The City of Mesa needs the help of each citizen and appreciates your help in maintaining our neighborhoods with pride. By working together we will keep Mesa beautiful!